I am in my 30's married with two children. I would like to have a closer relationship with my Mum but I find her hard work. My Mum remarried about 15 years ago and although I get on with her husband he is also difficult. He comments constantly that I don't see my Mum enough or if I contact her it's because I want something. His comments have influenced my Mum and now she even makes snide comments. I have a younger brother who also has two children and my Mum and her partner see them all the time as my Mum has always looked after them once a week while my brother and SIL worked and picked them up from school. Dare I say it but I feel they favour them as they are boys and have commented that my girls are 'difficult'.
If I asked my Mum to look after my children 9 out of 10 times she would so I am not saying that she won't look after them/help me out, but she won't actively say she'd like to see them or ask to look after them.
We all live close (5 mins drive/10-15 walk away) to each other.
I am happy to make more of an effort to see my Mum but I feel that she could also make an effort and come to see me and my children. She works part time (as do I) but I have the kids and their after-school activities etc whereas she has a lot more free time. Am I being unreasonable to expect this?